A Writer's Guide to Staying Active

June 17, 2016

June 17, 2016

By: Heather Lielmanis

Every writer has a different creative process. Some writers write in the morning, others work late into the night. Some use a computer, while others prefer a nice, heavy paper stock and a certain type of pen. No matter the style of writing, or the way in which it is done, there are things every writer can do to stay healthy while working on their craft.

Wait. Healthy? If you are generally a healthy person, why should you need to worry about your health while you are writing? The act of writing, or rather, the way in which most writers work, can be very unhealthy. Specifically, I am referring to amount of time writers spend sitting.

As a writer, you are likely spending long periods of time seated at a desk or table while you write. Recentresearch shows that this is unhealthy, even if you maintain a healthy, active lifestyle throughout the rest of your day. New studies andarticles warning of the risks of too much sedentary behaviour are being released every month.

So what’s a writer to do?

Stand Up

At Fitneff, we are proud to offerso many optionsfor those who need to take a break from sitting, but who also need to continue to work. Our adjustable-height desks allow you to simply raise your desk-top and stand while you continue to focus on the task at hand. Some have been surprised to find that itispossible to continue to write while standing. Aside from the advantages to one's health, changing positions during work can even contribute to greater productivity in your creative endeavours.

Walk While You Work

TheWalkTopTMTreadmill Deskwas invented by two executives who found that the responsibilities of their jobs required them to be seated for far too long every day. If, like them, you never seem to have time for a walk or a workout, you are now able to do so without interrupting your workflow. TheWalkTopTMmay be the answer to your dilemma. If you have a treadmill, it can be easily and inexpensively converted into a walking desk, allowing for low-impact exercise while you write. Those who use the Walk TopTMreportthat it is surprisingly easy to work while walking at a low-speed.

Take Active Breaks

Often times, writing is interrupted by other tasks such as phone calls or research. While important, these are activities that don’t necessarily require us to be seated. A little careful planning can make it possible to be active during these times. For example, when talking on the phone, stand up and do somesimple stretchesbeside your desk. If you use a wireless head set, you can free your hands during a phone call to toss aweighted hand ballback and forth. But, if you have to be seated, why not keep somedesk pedalsnearby so that you can pedal away while you reply to emails or surf the internet?

Feel Great and Write Better

So, why is this all so important? Adding these types of activities to your workday will come with many physical benefits. Some of these include:

- Reduced muscle strain

- Decreased back pain

- Improved circulation

- Muscle engagement

- Improved metabolism

- Increased heart rate

It just feels good!

But there are other benefits as well. While this is great for our physical health, it is even more heartening to learn that staying active can actually have a positive effect on your work.

Who couldn’t use better focus, more energy, and improved creativity when toiling over a piece or working towards a deadline?

As you consider your writing habits, think of incorporating some of these tools and techniques into your workspace. You will be delighted by how you feel physically, and how positively you feel about your work.

Let’s get moving! Give it a try and experience these benefits for yourself!

About Heather Lielmanis

Heather Lielmanis is the VP of Business Development at Fitneff Inc. Fitneff is dedicated to providing innovative products and solutions that help busy people make their productive time more active. Fitneff offers a full suite of walking desks,sit-stand desksand active accessories that allow you to incorporate movement into your work day.

Email: heather.lielmanis@fitneff.com

Direct: 647-527-5294

@hlielmanis

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About Fitneff

Fitneff™ is dedicated to creating active solutions for productive lives, making it easier to add daily activity into your busy schedule. We are proud to put our name on the WalkTop™ and we know you'll be proud to display it in your home or office.